In a wide-ranging interview this week, Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Juliette Kayyem defended actions by authorities†after the Boston Marathon bombings, touted her experience with crisis response and said she has what it takes to hang with the bigger names in the race.

"You canít be thin skinned for this," the 44-year-old Cambridge resident told the Daily News editorial board. "Iím a different generation, Iím an unknown, and I can handle the campaign."

Kayyem is one of three lesser-known candidates challenging Attorney General Martha Coakley and State Treasurer Steve Grossman for the party nomination for governor.

"Iím not going to win this by name recognition," Kayyem said, but with her ideas.

Originally from California, Kayyem began her career as a civil rights attorney. She has since served at several positions in state and federal government, including as assistant secretary for intergovernmental affairs at the federal Department of Homeland Security.

"Iím the only candidate thatís been in state and federal government in the executive branch," said Kayyem, reflecting on the lessons she learned when coordinating with Republican governors in several states after the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

"I know how to work across the aisles when it matters," she said.

Kayyem touted her experience in dealing with crisis as a key strength. When asked about the controversial lockdown of Boston during the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers, Kayyem said it was a "judgment call" that she supported at the time.

"You can say itís un-American," Kayyem said, but, given the particulars of what authorities knew and didnít know, she thinks it was a defensible "judgment call" aimed at keeping people safe.

Kayyem, a former Boston†Globe columnist,†said she does believe the state should conduct a review of the response to the bombings†to see what lessons can be learned.

Though Kayyem has held high posts in government, she hasnít been elected to political office. She was recently asked by Emilyís List Ė a political action committee that†supports†female candidates Ė to drop out of the race so she wouldn't hurt front-runner Martha Coakley's chances.

Kayyem decided to stay in the race, and said Tuesday she thinks that itís "insulting to women" to think that they would be confused by two female candidates.

"Women vote for the candidate, not the chromosome," Kayyem said, especially in states like Massachusetts where abortion is not a campaign†issue.

Kayyem said she wants her ideas to distinguish her, not any particular identity.

"I wonít win if I think being a woman is why people should vote for me," she said, listing off several priorities she believes distinguish her from others in the race.

Page 2 of 2 - Kayyem said she believes she has more ambitious goals when it comes to combating climate change and supporting veterans. She also spoke at length about her desire to reform the criminal justice system, which she believes puts too many nonviolent offenders in prison.

"We are bad," Kayyem said bluntly of the state system. She said other states Ė more conservative states Ė do things better, but Bay State leaders havenít pulled the trigger on reforms.

"I think it is hard for any Democrat to push (criminal justice reform)," she said, because of the potential that somebody who was shown leniency could commit a highly publicized violent crime.

Kayyem said she would not be afraid to push for meaningful reforms.

"I believe as governor, you have to take that risk on that one case that can blow your career," she said.

Kayyem needs 15 percent of the vote at the state Democratic Convention in†June to get on the primary ballot. She said recent caucus wins Ė including one in Natick Ė have her feeling good about her chances.

"Now itís a race," she said.

Brad Petrishen can be reached at 508-490-7463 or bpetrishen@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @BPetrishen_MWDN.